Metro East Sun

Sen. Steve McClure (R-Jacksonville) has recently voted against former Rep. Daniel V. Beiser's appointment to the Illinois Racing Board.

On February 22, McClure argued on the Illinois Senate floor that his vote against Beiser was not personal, but was based on Beiser's own admission that he had no "reasonable knowledge" of horse breeding.

 "I followed up and gave him a chance to clean up his answer and to his credit, he was honest and said he did not," McClure said, "By statute, there are very few requirements for this position, one of which, by statute, is required that they have a reasonable knowledge of horse breeding."

McClure said that although he did not wish to vote against Beiser's appointment, the current law obliged him to do so.

"I think he’s very qualified in every other capacity, except for the fact that one of the two requirements he doesn’t meet."

According to the Illinois General Assembly website, the Senate rejected the appointment 29-16 on Feb. 22. However, the Senate confirmed the appointment 54-0 on Feb. 23 after McClure filed a motion to reconsider the vote.

Beiser, a Democrat, formerly served in the House of Representatives from 2004 until he resigned in 2017.

He graduated from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 1978, earning a bachelor of science in mass communication as well as parks and recreation management.

Additionally, he earned a master of science degree in special education from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 1986.